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Some victories send dual weight in the lesson they communicate. Amid the flurry of weekend international rugby fixtures, it was the Saturday evening outcome in Paris that will echo most enduringly across both hemispheres. Not only the conclusion, but also the style of achievement. To say that the Springboks demolished various comfortable assumptions would be an modest description of the season.

Unexpected Turnaround

So much for the theory, for instance, that the French team would make amends for the injustice of their World Cup last-eight loss. Assuming that going into the final quarter with a slight advantage and an additional player would result in certain victory. Even in the absence of their talisman their scrum-half, they still had ample strategies to restrain the powerful opponents at a distance.

As it turned out, it was a case of celebrating too soon before time. Having been trailing by four points, the 14-man Boks ended up scoring 19 unanswered points, strengthening their status as a team who consistently reserve their top performance for the toughest circumstances. While overpowering New Zealand in Wellington in earlier this year was a declaration, here was conclusive proof that the leading international squad are cultivating an greater resilience.

Pack Power

In fact, the coach's champion Bok forwards are starting to make all other teams look less committed by juxtaposition. Both northern hemisphere teams experienced their moments over the two-day period but possessed nothing like the same dominant forwards that thoroughly overwhelmed the French pack to ruins in the final thirty minutes. Some promising young French forwards are emerging but, by the final whistle, the match was men against boys.

Even more notable was the psychological resilience supporting it all. Missing the second-rower – shown a 38th-minute straight red for a high tackle of the French full-back – the Boks could potentially faltered. Instead they merely circled the wagons and began pulling the disheartened boys in blue to what one former French international described as “extreme physical pressure.”

Guidance and Example

Following the match, having been hoisted around the venue on the gigantic shoulders of two key forwards to mark his hundredth Test, the team leader, Siya Kolisi, repeatedly highlighted how a significant number of his squad have been required to rise above life difficulties and how he wished his squad would in the same way continue to encourage fans.

The ever-sage an analyst also made an astute point on television, suggesting that Erasmus’s record increasingly make him the parallel figure of the legendary football manager. In the event that the world champions succeed in claim a third straight world title there will be complete assurance. In case they fall short, the smart way in which the coach has revitalized a potentially ageing squad has been an exemplary model to other teams.

New Generation

Consider his young playmaker Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu who sprinted past for the decisive touchdown that decisively broke the opposition line. And also Grant Williams, a further backline player with blistering pace and an even sharper vision for space. Naturally it is an advantage to have the support of a massive forward unit, with the inside back adding physicality, but the ongoing metamorphosis of the Boks from intimidating giants into a team who can also float like butterflies and sting like bees is extraordinary.

Home Side's Moments

However, it should not be thought that the French team were utterly overwhelmed, despite their weak ending. Their winger's second try in the right corner was a prime instance. The power up front that tied in the visiting eight, the excellent wide ball from the full-back and the try-scorer's execution into the advertising hoardings all demonstrated the hallmarks of a team with notable skill, without their captain.

However, that in the end was inadequate, which truly represents a humbling reality for all other nations. It is inconceivable, for example, that Scotland could have gone 17-0 down to the world champions and fought back in the way they did in their fixture. Notwithstanding England’s late resurgence, there is a gap to close before Steve Borthwick’s squad can be confident of competing with the world's top team with high stakes.

European Prospects

Beating an Pacific Island team posed difficulties on match day although the upcoming showdown against the New Zealand will be the contest that accurately reflects their autumn. The All Blacks are definitely still beatable, particularly without their key midfielder in their center, but when it comes to capitalizing on opportunities they remain a level above almost all the home unions.

Scotland were notably at fault of failing to hammer home the killing points and doubts still surround the red rose's ideal backline blend. It is all very well finishing games strongly – and much preferable than fading in the closing stages – but their admirable winning sequence this year has so far included just a single victory over top-drawer opposition, a narrow win over France in February.

Future Prospects

Hence the significance of this upround. Reading between the lines it would look like several changes are likely in the matchday squad, with experienced individuals being reinstated to the lineup. Among the forwards, likewise, first-choice players should be included from the start.

Yet context is key, in competition as in reality. Between now and the next global tournament the {rest